replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist
a replica of this was painted … this yearConstance Strachey
2
: a copy exact in all details
DNA makes a replica of itself
sailed a replica of the Viking ship
broadly : copy
this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb G. F. Kennan
Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship. It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.
Recent Examples on the Web If a person clicks an influencer’s affiliate link and buys the replica Rick Owens sneakers on Pandabuy, the company buys them through the original Taobao listing. Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024 When modeling a new product, like a U.S. Navy blue jumpsuit, Mr. McGrath may grab his personal plate carrier filled with magazines and a replica World War II British Sten submachine gun. Charles W. McFarlane, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 There’s a replica of the Prague Astronomical Clock there. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2024 However, at a previous total solar eclipse in the U.S. another Stonehenge replica was shrouded in darkness. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Some examples include replica posters of the colorful KC Star covers from the Super Bowl, AFC Championship Game, and playoff victories over the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. Hannah Wise, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2024 He’s created a replica of the music community that nurtured him as a kid. John Blake, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 Eighty-six percent of the union vote was in favor of AI use, but studios must obtain an actor's consent before digitally emulating them; actors will be paid for the days a digital replica is used in their stead. Ayesha Khanna, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The wrecks of the train and the bus lay near the tracks for fans to visit. 17 of 17 Schindler’s List’s Plaszow Camp in Krakow, Poland The remains of the real Nazi concentration camp were destroyed, so the filmmakers decided to create a replica. Jordi Lippe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replica.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of replica was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near replica

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replica. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

replica

noun
rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original
2
: a copy exact in all details : duplicate

More from Merriam-Webster on replica

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